Eleggua He is a wise and cunning saint, this symbolizes the balance on the plane of the earth.
His name in Yoruba means «Messenger prince«. To invoke it urgently, the santero hits the ground three times, at which time he speaks with the deity who protects the roads in order to request her help.
This call should only be made in desperate and urgent situations, this Orisha should not be bothered in vain.
The deity personified through childhood sits bodily on an Otá (stone), it can do so in the same way on a cobo snail or a coconut.
Eshu He lives inside a clay pot called a freidera which is placed behind the door of the ilé (house) place of the house where he establishes his domains, preventing with the mere fact of his presence the entry of any sorcery or disturbance that may alter the peace and rest of the family.
Ceremonial attributes and their meaning
This greater Orisha has several ceremonial attributes, each of these treasures a special religious meaning, they must be used with intelligence and sanity so that when the iré reaches the hands of the religious it does not escape him.
The sound of the 21 bells and its relationship with Elegguá.
To Eshú 21 bells are placed, the sound of them attracts the iré at the same time that it drives away misfortune and osogbos.
It should be noted that these bells can be used in order to invoke the deity at times when the devotee requires urgent help.
The guava squiggle.
The Garabato de Guayaba is a cane that is made with the wood of this plant, the deity uses it to break through the bush, in the same way that he uses it in order to catch the iré and the osogbos so that they do not damage to his children.
This important piece lives alongside the representation of the deity.
The mouse trap.
A mouse trap is placed on this Orisha to catch the fortune to be obtained.
This can also be used in the defense of the santero who uses it in order to spiritually trap the enemies and thus win the war.
Coins and Child Toys are auspicious offerings for the Messenger Prince.
Coins are placed in Elegguá so that financial development is never lacking in the life of the religious, at the same time that toys are offered because this saint is the religious personification of a child.
Toys are the propitious medium with which the saint works so that happiness in the home is never exhausted and that thanks to its blessings times of prosperity follow.
The guano or straw hat.
When Eshú goes out to war, he covers his head with a scarf on which a guano hat is placed, this protects him in combat in the same way that the sun rays and the rain provide him with fortune and protection.
The straw hat represents, as mentioned above, protection and shelter against adversity. This is a fundamental tool for the children of Elegguá.
The Maraca and its red and black eleke.
The Elegguá maraca is made like its eleke (necklace) with the colors red and black because these are its representative tones.
Both tools can live at the foot of the Orisha, these are used by the religious in order to obtain the blessing and help of Eshu.
Door keys and Gold nuggets.
Inside the Osha Elegguá represents the opening and closing of the roads, this deity is famous for handling them at will.
This Orisha is offered door keys and gold nuggets in order to always keep one of her paths open so that the believer can receive the iré he deserves.
Learn more about Osha:
Attract the good with Eleguá and 7 Doodles: An offering that opens up paths
How to open the roads with Elegguá with an Offering of 3 elements?
How to defeat and ward off Enemies with Eleguá? ≫ Ritual against evil
Yam for Eleguá ≫ Opening paths with the Little Osha
How to silence Bad Tongues and ward off Enemies with Elegguá?
Sweets for Eleguá An Offering that overcomes obstacles on the way!
Ebbó with 3 eggs at the foot of Eleguá so that the roads open
Addimú at the foot of Eleggua to unlock paths and open them with iré
